Justice Adenike Akinpelu of the Ilorin High court in Kwara state, yesterday March 7th, sentenced a notorious armed robber, Olatunji Ibrahim Ariyo, and his cohorts to death by hanging.
Ariyo, who is notorious in the state capital for his nefarious activities, was sentenced alongside Ganiyu Sulyman Yaro, Timothy Oyebanji, Lukman Olateju Sanda and Akeem Olayinka who is dead.
While delivering judgement, Justice Akinpelu said the convicts were tried on a six-count charge of criminal conspiracy, armed robbery, causing mischief by fire and theft contrary to Section 6 (b) and 1 (2) of the Robbery and Firearms Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, and sections 337 and 286 of the Penal Code.
The court held that, on April 25, 2015, the convicts committed the said offences at Agbarere, Ilorin.
“Each of the convicts is sentenced to imprisonment for a term of two years and the sum of N25,000 is imposed as fine on each of them on count five for causing mischief by fire.
“Each of the convicts is sentenced to death to be executed pursuant to Robbery and Firearms Act on count one, two, three and four for the offences of criminal conspiracy to commit armed robbery and armed robbery, respectively,” the judge said
According to the proof of evidence, Ariyo, with his gang, invaded the homes of no fewer than eight families in Ilorin metropolis to carry out robbery attacks.
Among the victims of the attacks was Abdulateef Baanu of Agbarere area of Ilorin, who testified before the court that the accused persons set his house ablaze after removing some items.
“My building is a four-bedroom flat, which I used N5 million to build; other buildings within the community were burnt too. The group of these miscreants were armed with guns, cutlasses and other dangerous weapons,” the proof of evidence revealed.
